Shifter cable won't shift… (2930 resurrection)

[nullset]

I can't seem to get 2930 to leave park.

Today I dropped the transmission drain pan, and with an assistant, I can see that the shifter cable inside moves down when we shift into reverse, but doesn't quite 'click'. I can push on the cog with my hand to 'click' it into reverse. It goes back into park just fine, but I can't get it to shift into any other gears.

The sheath on the shifter cable is broken, but the inside seems fine. I'm not sure if that's related to this issue or not.

--buddy

[Ryan King]

I can't seem to get 2930 to leave park.

Today I dropped the transmission drain pan, and with an assistant, I can see that the shifter cable inside moves down when we shift into reverse, but doesn't quite 'click'. I can push on the cog with my hand to 'click' it into reverse. It goes back into park just fine, but I can't get it to shift into any other gears.

The sheath on the shifter cable is broken, but the inside seems fine. I'm not sure if that's related to this issue or not.

--buddy

Have you adjusted the cable at all where it connects to Number 36?
http://www.delorean.com/store/c-294-4-6-0-auto-shift-linkage.aspx

I have had a similar problem with mine being too tight and it won't shift.

[nullset]

It doesn't seem to help.

If I'm laying under the transmission with the shifter disconnected, pushing on the pivot bolt, I still can't get the transmission to shift into or past reverse.

Actually it might be making it into reverse, I can't tell. I have to nudge it a bit, then it clicks in. Is there something that would prevent it from going further than that? It seems like there isn't or shouldn't be…..

It's possible that there's a kink in the cable. Would that cause this sort of problem?

--buddy

[nullset]

If I remove the shifter cable and slide the sheath out of the way, I can see a kinked spot in the cable. It's a slight bend (maybe 15-30 degrees or so?) in the inside cable. It would go into the transmission right around where reverse is. I think that's what is preventing it from going through the gears.

Is there a way to 'un' bend this cable?

--buddy

[sean]

I know it's a tight area but can you get a pic?

What do you mean by this?

. It would go into the transmission right around where reverse is.

[nullset]

That cable enters the transmission as you shift through the gears. The 'bent' part is close enough to the transmission side that, for the transmission to shift past reverse, it would need to go into the housing. It won't go in. Does that make sense?

--buddy

[sean]

Does that make sense?

gotcha now! If it's a bad enough kink in the housing and did kink the cable I could see this causing a problem now but can you not assist the quadrant (http://www.delorean.com/store/p-8801-con-quadrant-assy.aspx) while trying to get it in gear or is it really giving some resistance?

[nullset]

Here are two pictures. Sorry that they're blurry.
45874588

If you turn your head counterclockwise 90 degrees ( I don't know why the forum rotated these), the left will be the entrance of the shift cable to the transmission. What you're seeing is the inside of the shifter cable. The second pictures shows the sheath which normally covers said cable, but is broken on 2930. You can clearly see the kink / bend in the cable.

--buddy

[nullset]

I can get it into reverse if I tug on it, but it won't go past that at all. At least, I think it's reverse. I can see the quadrant passes the start disable switch on the passenger side.

Maybe I should get it into reverse, then try straightening the cable somehow?

I might be able to get a pair of needlenose in there.

--buddy

[sean]

Where is the rest of the cable housing? The threaded end with the fitting? I don't see I in you picture
4589

[nullset]

Where is the rest of the cable housing? The threaded end with the fitting? I don't see I in you picture
4589

It would be slightly off to the left of the picture. The stub you see there is what the rubber is supposed to attach to.

Should I try gently prying it past reverse with a largeish screwdriver or something like that? I can't move it there with just my hands. I am afraid of damaging something if I use a tool and exert too much force….. ;)

--buddy

[nullset]

I took a risk and got a slight payoff.

If I pry gently on the quadrant, I can get it to go through all the gears. I can then go back by pulling on the cable.

I think this is good news and bad news, right? It means the transmission isn't jammed up completely, but it also doesn't help me to make this car drivable.

--buddy

[sean]

Did you try straightening that cable with needle nose?

[David T]

Make sure the outer sheath is properly inserted and locked in. The inner cable end threads on. You can use it as an adjustment too. Once you have everything working then adjust the external shifter linkage so when you move the shifter the transmission falls into the right detent. If you cannot move the inner cable easily the cable may be damaged. That can happen if you try to start the motor and did not hook up the ground cable. The current from the starter motor will melt the cable. Don't go bending things, not a good idea and you can break things.
David Teitelbaum

[nullset]

Did you try straightening that cable with needle nose?

I was able to straighten it out a little bit, but not completely.

I'll try again and see if I can get it straight, then get the sheath back where it's supposed to be.

--buddy

[Ron]

Make sure the outer sheath is properly inserted and locked in.Hard to say but that is what it looks like in the 2nd pic to me...the sheath moved instead of the cable and left an alternate route for the the shifter to push the wire, out sideways.

[nullset]

I pushed the sheath in and locked it as far as it would go.

It's still not shifting beyond reverse.

Keep in mind, this car has been sitting for years.

I'm going to reassemble the drain pan, fill it up with fluid, and let it warm up to see if getting some fluid moving might make the shifting easier. If not, I'll move on to something else and order the cable to be here monday or tuesday. I still have plenty of other work to do on this car….so I don't really need to spend more hours diagnosing this.

Any other ideas of what I should try before moving on?

--buddy

[nullset]

Hard to say but that is what it looks like in the 2nd pic to me...the sheath moved instead of the cable and left an alternate route for the the shifter to push the wire, out sideways.

Yes, the sheath is completely broken. I've smooshed it back in to the connector at the end of the cable in an attempt to make it hold, but I doubt it's going to help.

--buddy

[Ron]

So the sheath came back out, I guess?

[sean]

The sheath should not move if the assembly is clamped to the frame. Unless the kink is getting caught on the wire ands pulling out. I don't think adding fluid will assist in this problem and don't recommend closing things back up until you have this resolved.

[nullset]

The sheath should not move if the assembly is clamped to the frame. Unless the kink is getting caught on the wire ands pulling out. I don't think adding fluid will assist in this problem and don't recommend closing things back up until you have this resolved.

Right.

The sheath stayed roughly in place, but when I try to shift past reverse, I can see the wire (outside part) move/bend instead of the inside part doing the same.

--buddy

I think at this point my best bet is to either remove the cable or remove the transmission so I can inspect it and/or get a better view.

Which approach should I take? Does removing the cable require pulling the transmission?

Once it's out, if it's fixable (straighten/etc) I can do it and reinstall. If it's not, I can wait for the new part.

Either way, I don't think there's anything else I can do with it in the car where it is.

--buddy

Would I be able to remove the transmission mounts and tilt the transmission down far enough that I can get to the top side of the shifter cable without breaking anything?

This will be with a floor jack underneath it of course.

Or would I be better off just dropping the transmission?

PS: The dragoncon parade is 5.5 days away……

--buddy

[sean]

I don't see a reason to remove the transmission. Removing the mounts would allow you to maneuver things around and get access to the cable fitting. Don't forget to remove the clamp that holds it to the frame.

[nullset]

What clamp?

--buddy

[sean]

That black block and the metal piece that hold the cable assembly to the frame.

[nullset]

That black block and the metal piece that hold the cable assembly to the frame.

Oh right. Got it….

--buddy

[nullset]

I can't find a way to get a tool on the top of the transmission to take out his part of the cable.

Even the stubbiest wrench I have just won't fit. Any suggestions for doing this on car?

--buddy

[sean]

Crows foot on an extension.

[nullset]

Crows foot on an extension.

Ugh…. :)

Do I take off the small nut or the larger one that seems to go into the transmission? Do you know what size it is?

(for those who don't know, crows feet were how I originally damaged a fuel line that required removing 2930's body from its frame to replace)

--buddy

[sean]

Take off the smaller one but this means you have to hold on to the larger one while you do it or can come loose. If the larger one comes off it is not the end of the world but it is a reason to leave the fluid pan off. Sorry, off the top of my hard I don't recall the sizes.

[nullset]

UPDATE!

I got the new shifter yesterday morning and got it installed, and even took her for a test drive!

So the problem definitely was in the cable.

Thanks for all the advice and help. It looks like 2930 _will_ be in the parade, barring some major disaster between now and then (knocks on wood)

--buddy

[sean]

barring some major disaster between now and then

Like running out of gas? :flamed: